Gas valve



Dec. 20, 1966 E. J. ZARYB ICKY GAS VALVE Filed Oct. 14, 1965 INVENTOR EDWARD J ZARYBNlCKY ATTOPNEYS United States Patent O 3,292,660 GAS VALVE Edward J. Zarybnicky, Broadview Heights, Ohio, assignor to W. J. Schoenberger Co., Cleveland, Ohio Filed Oct. 14, 1963, Ser. No. 315,864 4 Claims. (Cl. 137-599.2)

This invention relates to gas Valves of the general type which are shown for example in U.S. Patents 2,597,874, 2,652,226, 2,'723,102, and has for a primary object the provision of a new and improved valve stem position indication mechanism and od position self-locking arrangement.

A further object of the invention is to provide a new and improved valve mechanism as aforesaid; in which the Valve is automatically locked in off position by a free-acting fail-proof mechanism while the Valve control handle is indeXed precisely into a predetermined off attitude.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved valve as aforesaid Wherein the Valve control stem is automatically locked in Ott position by means of two entirely separate looking mechanisms, thereby providing a double safety arrangement.

A further object of the invention is to provide a new and improved valve locking and position indicatng mechanism as aforesaid, in combination with a two-part plugstem arrangement which is adapted to tolerate a greater degree of freedom between the stem and the looking and position indicating control mechanisms of the valve.

Still another object is to provide ina valve as aforesaid of the type wherein the control handle is first pushed inwardly and then turned to unlock the valve, an improved position-indicating click-stop mechanism which will operate as the control handle is turned through successive valve positions although the handle may be maintained in preSSed-in Condition.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following specification disclosing one embodiment thereof, and the accompanying drawings,

' Wherein:

FIG. l is a side elevational view of a valve constructed in accordance with the present invention, the valve control handle being omitted;

' FIG. 2 is a front end view of the valve shown in FIG. l; the parts being shown in the Valve OF position;

FIG. 3 is a crosS-sectional view of'the valve, taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIGS. 4, 5, 6, 7 are fragmentary sectional views taken on lines 4-4; 5-5; 6-6; and 7-7, respectively, of FIGL 3; all illustrating the Valve locked in its od position;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary cross-sectional View corresponling to FIG. 7 but illustrating the Valve plug as having been rotated into low or simme' position;

FIG. 9 is a longitudinal crosS-sectional view taken along the line 9-9 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of portions of the valve plug and control stem and associated components; and

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary section, on enlarged Scale, taken .along line 11-11 of FIG. 2, and Showing one of the Valve locking finger devices in alternative positions.

The invention is illustrated herein in conjunction with a so-called multiple position gas valve of the type having high and low and "old" positions; although it will be appreciated that the invention may be embodied in variations of the specific valve form shown herein. Generally stated, the valve comprises a valve body 12 having a conical inner bore enclosing a conically-shaped plug 14 which is rotatably adjustable within the body 12 for the purpose of determining the rate of flow of gas through the valve. The valve body 12 includes a gas inlet passageway 16,

ICC

and a gas Outlet passageway 18 for supplying gas to the associated burner. Typically, the outlet gas passes through an adjustable hood 20 having an orifice 22 (FIG. 3) cooperatively associated with a conical headed pin 23 fixedly secured in the passageway 18. Also, as shown in FIGS. 3, 9, and 10, the valve plug 14 includes a tapered main outer surface portion closely fitting within the tapered bore of the valve body 12; and the valve plug 14 includes an axial passageway 24 and a radial passageway 26 which leads from the eXterior of the valve plug to the axial passageway 24 and thereby directs gas to flow from the inlet passageway 16 to the outlet passageway 18, through the axial passageway 24 in the valve plug, whenever the valve is turned to full on position.

A diagonal passageway 28 terminating in .a well 29 in the valve plug provides communication between the inlet passageway 16 to the axial passageway 24 under control of a throttle Sleeve 30 which is apertured through the wall thereof for registry with the diagonal port 28. The Sleeve 30 also includes an externally screw-threaded head portion 32 having a screw driver slot at the end thereof, Whereby the Sleeve is screw-threadedly mounted in the plug and is rotatable therein by means of a screw driver, so that the Sleeve aperture will variably uncover the diagonal port 28 for fine adjustments of the gas volume to be delivered When the Valve plug is rotated to low or simmer' position.

The valve of the present invention employs the socalled two-part stem system; and as shown in the drawing herewith the valve plug 14 includes a reduced diameter portion 34 which is flatted at one side as indicated at 35 (FIG. 10) to slidably engage thereat With 'a' flatted surface 38 formed on the main stem member 40, When the parts are in assembled relation as shown in FIG. 3. The Stem 40 also includes an integral rim portion 42 which is arranged to ride inside of the valve cover plate or cap 44 which is held 'by machine screws 45 or the like to the valve body. A compression spring 36 is disposed to ride on the plug shoulder 34 to Supply constant pressure against the plug 14 tending to hold it in rotatably seated relation in the valve body, thereby preventing leakage of gas. The plug 14 is bored and tapped to accommodate the fine simmer adjustment Sleeve 30, and the stem 40 is also longitudinally bored ,to permit insertion of a screw driverfor turning the control Sleeve 30 from externally of the mechanism. It will of course be appreciated that the customary valve control handle (not shown) will mount on the extending end portion of the Stem 40, for manual control of the valve when in use.

The present invention relates to improved means in valve mechanism as aforesaid for controlling the positions of the operative parts when the valve handle is manually manipulated, 'and for indicating positional adjustments -of the valve 'plug member. To this end a collar 50 having -a centrally located D-shaped opening S2 is provided to freely slip-fit upon a flatted shoulder portion 54 of the stem 40 behind the rim portion 42 thereof. Thus, the oollar 50 is freely movable in directions axi-ally of the stem 40 while being, at the same time, geare to the stem so as to r-otate therewith. As shown in FIG. 3, the compression spring 36 Seats against the collar 50 and therefore tends to hold it in flat-wise bearing relation against the rim portion 42 of the stem.

The collar '50 is formed with radially extending arm 56 terminating in a wedge-Shaped finger portion 58 which, as shown in FIGS. 3, 11, bypasses the rim 42 of the stem and enters an aperture 59 formed in the Valve Cap 44 when the valve control stem is turned to valve off' position. Under this Condition the spn'n-g 36 drives the collar 50 to rest flat-wise against the stem .rim 42 so into the aperture 59 in the valve cap 44, as 'shown by solid lines in FIG. 11, and in FIG. 3. Thus, the Valve mechanism is thereby Solidly locked against any accidental turning of the control stem 40 such as 'by bumping against the handle mounted thereon.

' The rim 42 is formed with a recess as indicated at 60 to accommodate in Slip-fitting fashion a tab 62 projecting from the rear face of the cap 44, when the stem 40 is in Valve-closed position. When the Valve is in this position, and no pressure is being applied to displace the Valve stem' inwardly, both the finger 58 and the tab 62 are operative to hold the Valve stem against rotation Such as might be 'caused by accidentally bumping against the Valve control handle. However, the tab 62 is formed to be somewhat shorter than the finger 58, and is of such length that When the handle is pressed inwardly so as to cause the rim 42 ,to clear the tab 62, the finger 58 will thereupon be disposed such as to the broken line position thereof shown in FIG. 11. Thus it will be appreciated that under this Condition the Valve control handle is now free to -be rotated so that the plug 14 may be turned into a valve opening position.

Therefor, to release the Valve mechanism So that the Valve stem may be rotated either to low or full-on positions, the control handle is first pressed against -so as to displace't he Valve stem 40 inwardly. Such action drives the collar 50 to compress the spring 36 until the'finger 58 of the collar 50 is partial ly withdrawn from the Cam aperture 59, as to the position shown by broken lines in FIG. 11. The stem 40 is thereby freed to be .rotated so as to bring the desired gas port through the plug member into registry with the inlet port 16 of the Valve body.

During such rotation of the plug the rim 42 of the Valve stem will slidably ride against the end of the ta'b 62, while the finger 58 will be Cammed further inwardly from the broken line position thereof shown in FIG. 11 by the reaction of the inolined side portions of the finger against the apertured hole portion of the cap 44. Hence, the collar 50 Will be thereby driven to assume a Still further depressed position against the spring 36,* While the end of the finger 58 rides around on the rear surface of the cap 44. V

The cap 44 'is also formed with apertures corresponding to positions of registry with the finger 58 when the Valve plug Ireaches its full-on and its Simme positions, respectivel. Thus for example as indicated at '64, an aperture is formed through the cap 44 into which the pointed end of the finger 58 will drop, with a snap- Iike :action caused by the spring 36, when the va-lve plug is in its full open position With the plug port 26 in full registry with the inlet port 16 of the Valve body. Similarly, another aperture as illustrated at 66 will be provided through the cap 44 to permit the pointed end of the finger '58 to Snap thereinto when the Valve plug is rotated so that the diagonal'port 28 through the plug is in registry with the inlet port 16, as shown :by FIG. 8.-

It'Will be appreciated that because the tab 62 is shorter than the finger 58 the latter functions as a "clickstop" device incidental to arrival of the Valve plug at its various operative positions; ,and that therefore, even though the Valve operator might continue to press the Valve handle nwardly as it is being rotated after unlocking the Valve, the finger 58 Will continue to function as a click-stop device in addition to acting as a Valve looking device in cooperation with the tab 62 whenever the Valve is rotated to its fully off position.

Thus, the Valve of the invention features an improved double lock arrangement, comprising the finger 58 and the tab 62 When the Valve is in its fully "ofi' position; whereby these locking devices Cooper-ate and'reinforce one another and thereby provide double Security against accidental Opening of the Valve. Also, it will be appreciated that upon release of the Valve locking mechanism by application of inwardly directed pressure against the Valve Control handle, the stem-plug unit will thereupon provide the "click-stop" type Valve position indicating mechanism referred t-o hereinabove.

The cooperating flatted portions 35, 38 of the plug -and stem elements permit the nrequisite axial relative movements of the stem and plug members during operation of the device as explained hereinabove, while. at t the same time maintaining the members in relatively geared relation. .Rotation limiting stops are preferably provided on the rear surface of the cap 44 to cooperate ,with the finger 58 for limiting the :range of rotational movement of the Valve stem between the extreme operative positions thereof. For example, as indicated at 68 (FIG. 10) the material pressed out of the cap 44 to form the aperture 49 may be right-angle bent to pron vide a rearwardly extending abutment against which the finger 58 will :be positively stopped when the Valve con- V trol 'handle is moved to fully "od" and locked position.

Similarly, the material pressed out of the cap 44 when forming the aperture 66 may be left in rearwardly stand-i ing attitude as indicated at 69, to provide another abutment for positively limiting movement of the finger 58 to go no further than the aperture 66.

Another particular feature of the arrangement of the present invention is that when the Valve control handle is rotated to 'bring the Valve plug into fully off position, and When the finger 58 slips into the aperture .59, the apertured portion 60 of the stem rim 42 registers with the tab 62 of the cap, Whereupon the pressure of the spring 36 displaces the collar 50 inwardly into fiat-wise bearing relation against the inner face of the rim 42 whereupon the collar is positively locked in precisely indexed relation to the cap 44. Hence, any imprecise ndexings of the' plug 14, such as might occur due to the loosefitting relative arrangements made for the plug and collar and Stem parts in order to provide the requisite' freedom of movement of the click-stop and locking parts, will not be reflected in the externally viewed attitude of the control handle which is geared to the outer end of the stem 40. Thus, whenever a row Of such Valves are x mounted in common alignment, as across the front=of -a gas range or the like, the valves when disposed in "oi' positions Will present all of their control handles in parallel attitudes. This feature is of special importance in connection with the ornamental appearance of a gas range or the like.

It Will of course be appreciated that although'only one specific form of the invention has been illustrated and described in detail, various changes may :be made 4 therein without departing 'from the spirit of the inven-- tion or the scope of the accompanying Claims.

I jolaim:

1. In a Stem-adjustable type multiple position Valve including a Valve body, a Valve plug mounted within said body for rotat ional movements between "O and different :gasvolume flow on positions, a stem member -rotation-,

ally geared to Said plug but axially slidable in relation thereto, :and spring [means biasing said plug and stem member to move relatively in their flongitudinal direction,

the improvement comprising in combination therewith, an outstanding rim portion formed on said Stern member and extending peripherally thereof and formed With a cutout at one position peripheral ly thereof, a collar loosely fitting about said Stern member behind said rim portion and rotationally 'geared to said stem member while being axially slidable thereon and having a finger portion extending therefrom freelyaround said rim portion' and forwardly thereof, said finger including a Straight walled "looking" portion and a. wedge-shaped tenminal end portion, a locking cap xedly mounted on said Valve 'body and having a centralbore accommodating free-sliding extension therethrough of said stem member, said cap having first and Second spaced-apart rearwardly extending abut-ments a li-gned With the path of rotation of said finger When said stem member is turned thereby defining therebetween the range of permissive rotation of said steIn member, said cap being also formed With a valve looking aperture adjacent one of said abutments to acoommodate rojection thereinto of said finger when the valve is in o position, said cap being L'formed With valve position indicating apertures therethrough in line with the path of movement of said finger at positions oo rresponding to various "on" positions of the valve, one of said indicating apertures being adjacent the other of said a'butments, Said cap being folmed With a third abutment extending rearwardly thereof for engagement in the out-out of the rim portion of said Stem member when the latter is in valve o position, said third abutment being shorter in length than Said finger, whereby manual depression of Said stem member against the .action of said spring means causes complete Withdrawal of said rim out-out portion from engagement with said third abutm'ent while causing only the Straight-walled looking portion of said finger to be retraoted from said looking aperture, and Whereby said valve stem may then be rotated to its various Ion positions while said third abutment rides against the forward face of said stem rim portion and said finger -wedge-shaped end portion cams in and out of Said valve position indicating apertures thereby providing 'a click-stop" valve position indicating means.

2. In a stem-adjustable type high-low valve including a valve body, a Valve plug mounted within said body for rotational movements between ot, high, 'and low positions, a stem member rotational ly =geared to said plug but axially slidable in relation thereto, and spring means biasing said plug and Stem member to move relatively in their longitudinal direction, the improvement comprising in combination therewith, an outstanding rim portion formed on said Stem member and extend-ing periphera'lly thereof and formed With a cut-out at one position peripherally thereof, a valve looking .and valve plug position indicating collar loosely fitting about said stem member behind Said rim portion and rotationally geared to said Stem member While being axially slidable thereon and having a finger extending therefrom .around said rim portion and forwardly thereof, said finger including a Straight wa lled looking' portion and a Wedge-shaped terminal end portion, a looking cap fixedly mounted on said Valve body and having a central bore aocommodating free-Sliding extension therethrough of said stem member, said cap having first and second spaoed apart rearwardly extending abutments :aligned With the path of rotation of said finger when said stem member is turned thereby defining therebetween the range of permissive rotation of said stem member, said cap being also formed -with a valve looking aperture adjacent one of said abutments to aooommodate projection thereinto of said finger When the Valve is in off position, said cap being formed With Valve position indicating apertures therethrough in line With the path of movement of Said finger at positions corresponding to low and high positions of the valve, one of Said indicatin-g apertures being adjacent the other of said abutments, said cap :being -formed With aa. third abutment extending rearwardly thereof for engagement in the cut-out of the rim portion of said stem member when the iatter is in valve oi position, said third abutment being shorter in 'length that said finger, whereby manual dep ression of said stem member against the action of said spring means causes complete withdrawal of said rim out-out portion \'from engagement with said third abutment While causing only the straight-walled looking portion of Said finger to ?be retr acted firom said looking aperture, and Whereby said valve stem may then be rotated to "on positions while said third :abutment rides against the forward face of said stem rim portion and said finger wedgeshaped end portion cams in :and out of said valve position including a valve body, a valve plug mounted within said body for rotational movements between ofl and various flow rate "on positions, a stem member rotationally geared to said plug but axially slidable in relation thereto, and spring means :biasing said p'lug and stem member to move relatively in their ongitudinal direction, the improvement comprising in combination therewith, nan out- Standing rim portion formed on said stem member and extending peripherally thereof :and fiormed with a stop device -at one position perip herally thereof, a Valve locking an-d valve plug position indicating oollar loosely fitting about said stem member !behind said rim portion and rotationally geared to said stem member while being axial ly slidable thereon and having a finger portion extending therefrom around said rim portion and forwardly thereof, said finger including Ea Straight W-al led "locking portion :and a wedge-shaped terminal end portion, a looking cap fixedly mounted on said valve body and having a central bore accommodating free-sliding extension therethrough of said stem member, Said oap having first and seoond Spaoed-apart rearwardly extending abutments -aligned with the path of rotation of said finger when said stem member is turned thereby defining therebetween the range ot p'errnissive rotation of Said stem member, said cap being also formed With a valve looking .aperture adjacent one of said abutments to aooommodate rojection thereinto of said finger when the Valve is in ofi position, said cap being formed With valve position indicating apertures therethro ugh in line with the path of movement of said finger -at positions corresponding to various o positions of the valve, one of said indicating apertures being adjacent the other of said -abutments, Said cap lbeing =formed with stop means for enga-gement with the stop device of the rim portion of said stem member when the latter is in valve ofi position, whereby manual depression of said stem member against the action of said spring means causes disconnection of said stop device and said stop means while causing only the Straight-Walle-d looking portion of said finger to be ret nacted from' said looking aperture, and where by said valve stem may then be rotated to its various on positions while said finger wedge-shaped end portion cams in and out of said valve position indicating apertu-res thereby providing a clickstop valve position indicating means.

4. In a stem-adjustable type multiple position Valve including a valve body, a valve plug mounted Within said body for rotational movements between of and various flow rate on positions, a stem member rotationally geared to Said plug but axially slidable in relation thereto, and Spring means biasing said plug and stem member to move relatively in their longitudinal direction, the improvement comprising in .combination therewith, an outstanding rim portion EEormed on said stem member and extending peripherally thereof and formed with a stop device at one position periphera lly thereof, a valve looking and valve plug position indicating collar l-oosely fitting about said stem member behind said rim portion and rotationaily geared to Said stem member While being axial ly slidable thereon and having a finger portion extending therefirom -around said rim portion and forwardly thereof, a looking cap fixedly mounted on said valve body .and having a central bo re acoommod ating free-sliding extension therethroug'h of said stem member, said cap having first and second spaced apart rearward-ly extending abutments aligned with the path of rotation of said finger when said Stem member is turned thereby defining therebetween the range of penmissive rotation of said stem member, said cap being ?also formed with a valve looking aperture adjacent one of said ab utments to accommodate rojection thereinto of said finger when the Valve is in ofi position, said cap being formed with valve position indicating apertures therethrough in line 7 8 with the path of movement of said finger at positions said Valve stem may'then be rotated to its various on corresponding to Various on' positions of the Valve, one positions. of Said indicating apertures being adjacent the Other of References Cied y the Examille said abutments, said Cap being formed With stop means UNITED STATES P ATENTS epg-agement f thehstop deicc p g 5 72,507 10/1951 Muenep 251 96 o Sald stem member w en the l-atter lS 111 Valve O 1634949 4/1953 Robinson 251 96 position Whereby nanual depression of said Stem: Inem- 2,652226 9/1953 Hufi 251 96 'ber against the action Of Said Spring means causes dlsen- :gagement of said Stop device While causing said finger WILLIAM Primary n to be retracted from Said looking aperture, and Whereby 10 D. LAMBERT, Assistant Examiner. 

1. IN A STEM-ADJUSTING TYPE MULTIPLE POSITION VALVE INCLUDING A VALVE BODY, A VALVE PLUG MOUNTED WITHIN SAID BODY FOR ROTATIONAL MOVEMENTS BETWEEN "OFF" AND DIFFERENT GAS VOLUME FLOW "ON" POSITIONS, A STEM MEMBER ROTATIONALLY GEARED TO SAID PLUG BUT AXIALLY SLIDABLE IN RELATION THERETO, AND SPRING MEANS BIASING SAID PLUG AND STEM MEMBER TO MOVE RELATIVELY IN THEIR LONGITUDINAL DIRECTION, THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISING IN COMBINATION THEREWITH, AN OUTSTANDING RIM PORTION FORMED ON SAID STEM MEMBER AND EXTENDING PERIPHERALLY THEREOF AND FORMED WITH A CUTOUT AT ONE POSITION PERIPHERALLY THEREOF, A COLLAR LOOSELY FITTING ABOUT SAID STEM MEMBER BEHIND SAID RIM PORTION AND ROTATIONALLY GEARED TO SAID STEM MEMBER WHILE BEING AXIALLY SLIDABLE THEREON AND HAVING A FINGER PORTION EXTENDING THEREFROM FREELY AROUND SAID RIM PORTION AND FORWARDLY THEREOF, SAID FINGER INCLUDING A STRAIGHT WALLED "LOCKING" PORTION AND A WEDGE-SHAPED TERMINAL END PORTION, A LOCKING CAP FIXEDLY MOUNTED ON SAID VALVE BODY AND HAVING A CENTRAL BORE ACCOMMODATING FREE-SLIDING EXTENSION THERETHROUGH OF SAID STEM MEMBER, SAID CAP HAVING FIRST AND SECOND SPACED-APART REARWARDLY EXTENDING ABUTMENTS ALIGNED WITH THE PATH OF ROTATION OF SAID FINGER WHEN SAID STEM MEMBER IS TURNED THEREBY DEFINING THEREBETWEEN THE RANGE OF PERMISSIVE ROTATION OF SAID STEM MEMBER, SAID CAP BEING ALSO FORMED WITH A VALVE LOCKING APERTURE ADJACENT ONE OF SAID ABUTMENTS TO ACCOMMODATE PROJECTION THEREINTO OF SAID FINGER WHEN THE VALVE IS IN "OFF" POSITION, 